Sydney: See & Do

The classic itinerary: Most tourists make a beeline for one of the big three Sydney icons: Bondi Beach, the Opera House, or the nearby Sydney Harbour Bridge. All have one thing in common: water. It’s the liquid essence of Sydney, glinting in the sunlight and bathing the city in a magical atmosphere.

At Bondi, you can hit the cool surf and streetwear shops along Gould Street, pick up some bargains at the weekly Sunday markets, and then stake out your own patch of famous Bondi sand before enjoying casual dinner and drinks right on the beach at Bucket List or the North Bondi RSL.

If you head straight for the harbour icons, try a tour of the Opera House followed by ‘sundowner’ drinks at Opera Bar, surely one of the world’s most postcard-perfect settings for an ice-cold beer or wine as the sun sets on the magnificent scene. If you’re game, don’t miss the opportunity to climb the ‘coathanger’ with Bridge Climb, which will take you right to the top, flooring you with incredible views of the shimmering harbour and beyond.

The cool itinerary:

The Island Bar, Cockatoo Island

1. Pull up a deckchair on Cockatoo Island: For a new view of Sydney’s outrageously gorgeous harbour, hop on a ferry to Cockatoo Island. The most buzzing of the harbour islands, it hosts periodic art exhibitions and events throughout the year, as well as offering overnight ‘glamping’ (glamourous camping) and The Island Bar: a laid-back, Mediterranean-style oasis boasting lounges, deckchairs and the requisite striped umbrellas. The Island Bar is open during the warmer months—this year it will remain open during the Biennale of Sydney festival (21 March – 9 June) before closing in mid-winter.

2. Hang with the hipsters in Surry Hills: Despite hot competition, Surry Hills is still really the epicentre of cool in Sydney. It’s here you’ll find the greatest concentration of vintage clothing stores, organic cafes, cute bars, speciality restaurants for every taste and hipsters looking impossibly cool in a totally ironic, nonchalant way. Hit the Surry Hills markets on the first Saturday of every month for bargain second-hand designer threads; or snaffle vintage sundresses, sequinned jackets, and other treasures from the past at Grandma Takes a Trip, Zoo Vintage Emporium, or any of the other mothball-free vintage boutiques clustered around the top of Crown Street where it meets Oxford Street.

3. Small bars; big news: Sydney has fallen head over heels for small bars in recent years, with a new one seemingly popping up each week. Each has its own unique character: sip some ales at Shady Pines Saloon (Darlinghurst) for a low-lit, Wild West-style evening; sample some whiskies at the popular underground Baxter Inn (Clarence St), the well-hidden yet worst-kept secret hotspot in the middle of the city; or work your way through some tequilas and Mexican beers at Tio’s Cerveceria (Surry Hills).

Yoga by the sea

4. Get bendy at Bondi: Avoid the crowds on the beach and instead join the in-the-know local yogis who congregate at Bondi Icebergs to salute the Australian sun against a glorious view of this iconic stretch of sand. The $25 fee will buy you a spot in the outdoor yoga class, mat rental if you need it, plus a swim and sauna at the world-renowned Icebergs—so don’t forget your bathers (that’s Australian for swimsuit) and sunscreen.

5. Seek out a secret beach or pool: Sydney is bursting with these sparkling, exquisite gems, which make a great alternative to braving the more popular (read: crowded) beaches as soon as the sun pops its head out. There’s nothing more delicious than rocking up to your chosen secret beach or harbour pool only to find with delight that you pretty much have it (almost) to yourself. Great spots include Milk Beach in Vaucluse, Collins Flat Beach at Manly, and MacCallum Pool in Cremorne Point—on the north side of the Harbour Bridge—has some of the best views in the city and is nestled in a long, picnic-perfect, palm-tree studded stretch of grass, perfect for lazing away an afternoon.

6. Shop for Aussie designerwear: While Melbourne is known for favouring a more European palette of classic black and low-key luxe, Sydney is known to show a bit of leg every now and then (always in a classy way, of course) and embrace the whole spectrum of colour, playing with patterns and textures along the way. Head to the beautiful Strand Arcade (access via Pitt St Mall or George St) to stock up on sharp, sexy silhouettes, and beautifully beaded pieces from Sass & Bide; divine designer lace creations from Lover; and innovative yet classic cuts from Manning Cartell.

A picnic-style open air cinema at Centennial Park

7. Catch a movie at an outdoor cinema: What city in the world is better suited to kicking back and watching a movie under the warm, starry sky? Come summer, a wealth of outdoor cinemas set up camp at spectacular locations all around Sydney—try beachside at Bondi, picnic-style at Centennial Park, or harbourside at Mrs Macquaries Point.

8. Make like a local in some of our finest beer gardens: Beer tastes better when imbibed outdoors in the laid-back buzz of a classic beer garden, and nowhere does them quite like Sydney. Try the Beresford (Surry Hills); The Rooftop at The Glenmore Hotel (The Rocks); The Golden Sheaf (Double Bay); The Tilbury (Woolloomooloo), or the old-school classic on the north side, The Oaks (Neutral Bay).